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5. Blending of regraded land to undisturbed areas; <br /> 6. The functioning of drainages with regard to knickpoints,blending at disturbance boundaries <br /> and channel erosion; <br /> 7. Erosional features; and <br /> 8. Drainage control for the reclaimed area,including upslope diversions. <br /> Colowyo's approved reclamation plan was prepared in accordance with Rule 2.05.4. Colowyo was <br /> granted a variance for contemporaneous reclamation for the East Pit, West Pit and the South <br /> Taylor Pit due to the nature of multi-seam mining. Backfilling and rough grading commenced <br /> once a steady-state condition was reached in each of the pits. <br /> The approved backfilling and grading plan for the Colowyo Mine is found in Volume 1 (East and <br /> West Pit), Volume 12 (South Taylor), and Volume 15 (Collom) of the PAP. Maps 19, 19A and <br /> 19B show the approved post-mining topography, Maps 29 and 29A, and 29B show the <br /> backfilling and grading schedule. The pre-mining and post-mining cross-sections are shown on <br /> Maps 20, 20A and 20B, and the permanent drainage channel profiles are shown on Maps 33, <br /> 33A, 33B, and 33C. Map 1 of the SL-17 application show cross-section area for the 0.4 acres <br /> being requested of the South Collection Ditch, including approved post-mining topography <br /> alongside the constructed topography. <br /> The approved drainage reestablishment consisted of the design and construction of permanent post <br /> mining drainage channels. The post-mine channel locations are shown on Maps 41, 41A and 41B <br /> of the Colowyo PAP. The South Collection Ditch construction designs can be found in Exhibit 7 of <br /> the Colowyo PAP. <br /> Phase II Bond Release <br /> The Division evaluated Colowyo's request for partial Phase H Bond Release on 0.4 acres portion of <br /> the South Collection Ditch in the SL-17 application, as shown on Figure 1 of this document. The <br /> process of releasing the reclamation bond for a coal mine site in Colorado is explained in Rule 3.03 <br /> and further described in the Division's 1995 Guideline Regarding Selected Coal Mining Bond <br /> Release Issues. The bond release process involves three phases. At Phase H, Rule 3.03.1(2) (b) <br /> states, "Up to eighty-five percent of the applicable bond amount shall be released upon the <br /> establishment of vegetation which supports the approved postmining land use and which meets the <br /> approved success stand for cover,pursuant to 4.15.8, meets applicable productivity standards for <br /> prime farmlands or alluvial valley floors pursuant to 3.03.1(3)(b), or croplands pursuant to 4.15.9. <br /> With the exception of prime farmlands, evaluation of vegetation establishment pursuant to this <br /> paragraph is based on statistically valid data collected during a single year of the liability period." <br /> In regard to Phase 11 bond release, Rule 3.03.1(3)(b) also states, "No more than (60)percent of <br /> the bond shall be released so long as the lands to which the release would be applicable are <br /> contributing suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area in excess of <br /> premining levels as determined by baseline data or in excess of levels determined on adjacent <br /> nonmined areas". <br /> Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance December 18,2019 <br /> Partial Phase I,II and III Bond Release SL-17 Page 5 <br />